So I am wanting to test Esxi and making VM before I get some new servers and software. Problem is I don't really have that much in the way of spare hardware. I download latest .iso hypervison and try to install on old Intel Core2 6400 2.13GHz box. It boots to CD sees the hard drive then says it cannot find image or system requirement error. I wonder if I need a newer box or something is going on?

ESXi 3.5 Update 2 on a USB memory key
Added Jul 29, 2008, By Duncan Epping with 53 Comments
For those like me who would like to check ESXi 3.5 update 2 but don’t want to install on a local harddisk. Here’s a good pdf about how to install it on a USB memory key. It’s fairly easy and I just booted my IBM X61 laptop with ESXi.

Also I have had issues when trying to install ESXi from a bootable USB to a USB stick was giving similar errors. Are you installing it using CD? I would recommend trying that if you are not. I also highly recommend installing ESXi to a USB stick as well.

Since this is a test box, have you thought about making a bootable USB memory stick?

I'm not sure about the latest version, but under 4.0 there was a IMG file inside the iso. You extract that file then use Winimage Restore Virtual Harddrive Image on Phsycial Drive.

This will format the memory stick, then copy the image to the stick. then you can boot from it. Worked like a charm for me.

This method kinda ends up skipping the install phase. it extracts a drive image onto the memory stick. The system should then just boot off of it, and ask you to setup a root password. Then, assuming it has NIC drivers, it will get a DHCP address. You can can then change that address to a static one and proceed with testing.

If the NIC doesn't work, you should be able to slip in the needed drivers on the memory stick, but I have no idea how.

ESXi 3.5 Update 2 on a USB memory key
Added Jul 29, 2008, By Duncan Epping with 53 Comments
For those like me who would like to check ESXi 3.5 update 2 but don’t want to install on a local harddisk. Here’s a good pdf about how to install it on a USB memory key. It’s fairly easy and I just booted my IBM X61 laptop with ESXi.